Date of Award
Spring 6-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department/Program
Forensic Science
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Angelique Corthals
Second Reader
Peter Diaczuk
Third Advisor
Brooke Kammrath
Abstract
Ballistic bone research is essential as 90% of homicides with the use of a firearm include injuries to bone. Forensic anthropologists use ballistic bone trauma to gather details and reconstruct an event, but ballistic bone trauma depends on many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors include the type of bone, the type of firearm, and the type of ammunition. As new ammunition and firearms emerge, the literature on ballistic bone trauma remains limited. This novel study compares the bone trauma from the most common projectile, the full metal jacket, to a frangible projectile which is made to break upon impact. Sus Scrofa ribs were shot using a Ruger Police Carbine 9mm Luger, and the bone trauma was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed at a macroscopic level and qualitatively analyzed at a microscopic level. Macroscopic analysis determined that both ammunition types had similar trauma, as both ammunition types displayed radial, circumferential, and cone cracks. Microscopic analysis supported the previous findings as both ammunition types displayed minor osteonal damage and tearing. Thus, ballistic bone trauma from frangible ammunition did not display apparent differences from full metal jacket ammunition under the conditions tested, and limitations such as small sample size and inadequate fixation must be considered. Future research can build upon this study to determine the effects of different projectile types on bone.
Recommended Citation
Hassan, Hajar S., "A Qualitative and Quantitative Comparative Analysis of Ballistic Bone Trauma from Frangible and Full Metal Jacket Projectiles" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/400
